Michigan
LSU
Wolverines End Season in NCAA Second Round
3/19/2023 10:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BATON ROUGE, La. -- The No. 18-ranked University of Michigan women's basketball team saw its season come to an end in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to No. 9-ranked LSU, 66-42, on Sunday evening (March 19) at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. U-M finished the 2022-23 season with 23 wins, tied for the third-most in program history.
Laila Phelia led the way for the Wolverines, turning in 20 points with four rebounds. Cameron Williams went for eight points, with Chyra Evans scoring four points. LSU held a 46-26 advantage on the glass, scoring 22 second-chance points to negate a 35.3 shooting percentage.
Michigan got off to a slow start before Emily Kiser put Michigan on the board at the 7:31 mark of the first quarter. LSU doubled up the Wolverines, 8-4, at the 4:47 mark, but Phelia hit a three-pointer and Kiser drew a charge on the ensuing possession to bring Michigan back within a point.
The Wolverines did not score the rest of the quarter, with the Tigers taking a 12-7 lead after 10 minutes.
Phelia layup to start the second but LSU answered with a 12-0 run, resulting in a Michigan timeout with 6:21 remaining as the Tigers' lead grew to 23-9.
LSU hit halftime with a 30-15 lead, scoring 12 second-chance points and holding a 28-13 advantage on the glass despite shooting just 29.3 percent from the floor.
Phelia made good on a pair of free throws to start the third and Leigha Brown hit a deep three as the Wolverines scored the first five points of the quarter, forcing an LSU timeout just over a minute in.
Michigan continued to hold LSU off the board as the run hit 7-0 behind a bucket from Williams in transition, cutting the Tiger lead to 30-22.
LSU scored on its next possession and came away with the rebound off the errant free throw, hitting a triple to cap a five-point possession for a 35-22 lead with 5:31 remaining in the third.
Phelia converted a three-point play on a nifty finish and Evans split a pair at the line with 2:54 left in the third, pulling Michigan within 39-28.
After LSU pulled back ahead by 15 about a minute later, Phelia knocked in a left-wing triple, trimming the lead to 43-31 with 1:39 remaining. The Tigers scored the final four points of the period, grabbing a 47-31 lead after 30 minutes.
Michigan never got it rolling in the fourth as LSU outscored Michigan, 19-11, en route to the win.
